ODFW: ‘Environmental DNA’ to track fish

10/11/16 -- The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife is moving into the next generation of monitoring fish populations — one of the toughest challenges in fish management — by using new environmental DNA (eDNA) science to quickly and accurately identify fish species in streams and lakes.

Dr. Shaun Clements, research scientist for the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, tests the waters of the upper Deschutes River for environmental DNA. Scientists are now able to use eDNA to tell what species are present in aquatic populations. This technology will help reduce the cost of fish monitoring and provide an early warning if invasive species are present. Photo courtesy of ODFW

Traditional methods of monitoring, such as trapping, netting or electrofishing, take a lot of time and money, and sometimes don’t give the answers needed to make management decisions. However, the measurement of eDNA shows promise as a cost-effective means to supplement monitoring the distribution, abundance, and health of fish, amphibian, beaver, and other water-based species.

Environmental DNA refers to the DNA that is naturally released by all living organisms (including people) into their environment. The water in rivers and lakes contains millions of DNA particles, each with a unique signature. By sampling the water and decoding the DNA, researchers can tell if some of that DNA came from a coho salmon, beaver, spotted frog, or other species.

“We are working towards a future where our biologists can collect a water sample, analyze it on site, and determine which of Oregon’s native and non-native aquatic species are in the general vicinity,” said Dr. Shaun Clements, research scientist for ODFW. “eDNA has the potential to revolutionize fish monitoring.”

But for all this potential to become reality, according to Clements, researchers need to understand how eDNA moves through rivers and lakes. This means answering questions like: how far upstream might the fish be; 100 feet or 10 miles? How recently was the fish in the area? How can we distinguish if the eDNA from a fish was released into the stream by other sources like a boat, angler, or predator?

This technology also has a high potential to give an early warning of invasions by non-native species, such as the quagga mussel, that can be harmful to Oregon’s environment and cost the state millions of dollars.

“This method can detect very small amounts of DNA and because we don’t actually put our hands on the critter, we need to figure out what a positive detection of eDNA really means” said Clements. “eDNA methods can also provide improved sensitivity to detect rare and endangered species in comparison with traditional monitoring techniques.”

ODFW researchers plan to start a pilot study in the Alsea basin in the coming months. The pilot study is groundbreaking in its own way. Currently, researchers study eDNA movement in rivers by caging fish in streams or releasing water containing eDNA from hatchery reared fish. Clements says that these approaches have downsides to varying degrees because it’s difficult to control the amount, size, or timing of an eDNA release. To address these issues, ODFW researchers will use technology being pioneered in the food safety industry.

“Essentially, we will make custom eDNA to use as a tracer for the purpose of calibrating measurements of the natural eDNA collected in our river water samples,” said Clements.

Each tracer is a unique code that tells researchers when it was released, how much was released, and what size it was. In the food industry, this technique is being used to trace contaminated food back to its source. ODFW researchers will use it to trace eDNA in the water back to a precise point in space and time. Pending results, the researchers will implement a full study in rivers across the state in early 2017.

According to Clements, this and other research and development efforts will result in significant cost savings in fish monitoring and free up money to be put towards other priority uses.

Fishing Reports

A Hot Summer’s Day on Chico Creek

On Patrol by Steven T. Callan
07/25/16 -- I’ve been exploring Northern California’s streams -- above and below the surface -- for most of my life. One of my most memorable adventures took place on a hot summer’s day in 1964, not long after my sixteenth...Full Story Brownie’s Choice

By Don Webster
Disregard the story’s title. I don’t really have a “first” name. If I did, it would probably be something like Leviathan or Behemoth or maybe Lunker. Officially, I’m a trout. A brown trout. A giant, brown trout. Possibly the biggest, fattest...Full Story Keddie Ridge

Article and photos by Phil “Flip” Akers
11/14/15 -- Adjacent to both
Lake Almanor and Mountain Meadows, between the towns of Westwood and
Greenville, is a seemingly forgotten piece of backcountry; Keddie Ridge –
aka Ridge World – where ancient rocks... Full Story Let’s check out the Upper Sac

Article and photos by Phil "Flip" Akers
09/06/15 -- The Upper
Sacramento River – The Upper Sac – begins at Lake Siskiyou’s Box Canyon
Dam and continues ~37 miles downstream to Lake Shasta. It is a classic
freestone river born from the Mt. Shasta and Mt. Eddy... Full Story How to make Tuscan Tuna Salad with Fennel
By Frank Galusha
05/04/15 -- OK, you went ocean fishing. If your
fish is fresh or if you have processed, vacuum packed and frozen your
catch properly, there are many ways to enhance your meals. Almost
everything taken from the ocean is not... Full Story Fishing the Klamath below JC Boyle Dam

By Trouteagle
03/02/15 -- Year round trout action can be found on the Klamath River within the 20 or so miles of free flow within Oregon and California. While fishing below the flumes at the JC Boyle powerhouse, it can be difficult to know just when...Full Story Climbing Terms for the Fisherman

10/14/14 -- For those of us who prefer to fish the
rugged and remote streams and rivers for the elusive wild trout, rock
climbing is a skill that is required to reach the special places where
catching the big one is a “sure thing.” The skills...Full Story German brown trout afternoon in Modoc

By Lea Huetteman
09/04/14 -- Catching a German Brown Trout from the
creeks in Modoc County is a fine way to spend an afternoon. There are
many creeks in this part of California that drain the Warner Mountains.
Stream trout fishing in this region opens...Full Story Throw the kitchen sink at them

Article and photos by Phil Akers
08/20/14 -- Our wilderness areas are special, where Mother Nature is landlord and natural forces operate freely. Within the wilderness you will find no roads, shelters, picnic tables, toilets, or other conveniences. You enter at...Full Story Humboldt Bay: Busy port, excellent fishery

03/06/04 -- Humboldt Bay, a busy commercial harbor and home port to many
charter and private offshore fishing boats, is also popular with
shore-based anglers and small boaters seeking bottomfish, sharks, crabs
and clams...Full Story Pulled into the pipes: Green Sturgeon

By Erin Loury, FISHBIO
03/04/14 -- [Posted with permission of
FISHBIO] Living in the Sacramento River can be a risky business for
juvenile green sturgeon (Acipenser medirostris). The young fish must swim through a gauntlet of water... Full Story Not Just Any Fish

By Phil "Flip" Akers
02/14/13 -- Trout have inhabited California
waters from the Sierra Nevada and Warner Mountains to the Pacific Ocean
since prehistoric times. However, most of the trout caught by anglers
are either hatchery raised fish...Full Story

A preview of coming attractions...if you are planning
a trip to this area be forewarned: What photographers have captured will whet your appetite for what will be an outdoor journey filled with wonders.